Noreen had necessarily responded to that challenge within herself. For that dream, Noreen had made the required sacrifices in her social development-thus depriving her, as some of the adults would say over and over again, of her childhood, her youth.

Noreen had devoted most of her life thus far to achieving her gymnastics goals.

Now that dream was gone.

Forgotten.

"I was lucky," Noreen reflected to herself. "I guess I got off easy-I got away."

Now it was time for Noreen to reclaim her youth. To share in the fullness of life that had been denied to her.

And she would approach her new self with grit and determination. With the same abandon that had marked her athletic career.

Noreen crushed out her cigarette.

Lit up another fag.

Slugged down the rest of her drink.

"Shit!" Noreen realized. "Now I'm free. I don't have to get up early. Or watch my diet. I can fucking eat for a change."

A warm sense of freedom rinsed over Noreen.

Her neck and spine relaxed. She allowed a tingling to develop between her thighs. Enjoyed the reflexive buzz in her clit.

Late-night flight into New York City. Sparsely occupied seats in the dead of morning.

Calm.

The sense of being alone.

Noreen responded to the twinge between her hips.

Took hold of her cuntlips through her leggings. Winced as she twisted her clit.

Could she get away with a little frigging action right there in the seat?

Noreen reached to the empty seat beside her to fetch up the folded blanket.

She could wrap herself in it.

Curl up in her seat.

Cover her face.

Slip open her pants.

Lift her blouse.

Masturbate.

Not great.

But it would pass the time.

Keep her mind from other things.

Then Noreen's eyes jerked into focus.

The head hanging lazily off to the side two rows in front of Noreen moved.